Business Spotlight: Mary Jane’s Smoke House by Michelle Libby

Entrepreneur Karl Butterfield from Raymond has had many businesses during his 11 years in Maine. In October 2016, he answered a call from the Standish community and opened Mary Jane’s Smoke House at 140 Ossipee Trail. 
 

“People in the community wanted me. I get a lot of nice people in here,” Butterfield said. Mary Jane’s Smoke House carries different types of glassware for medical and recreational marijuana. He does not sell marijuana as it is not legal to sell it until 2018. 

Most of his customers use medical cannabis for pain, he said. He doesn’t judge his customers and is free with his advice and education of what he sells. “Who knows, maybe I’ll need it for that someday,” he said. “They say it helps absolutely. I learn a lot from my customers every day.”  He estimates that 90 percent of people in the area smoke pot. The more accessible it is the more comfortable people are with coming into his shop. 

When he first opened, people would leave their cars running, quickly come in the shop, buy what they wanted, jump back in their car and speed off. Now people feel more relaxed about entering the store and browsing. 

A lot of his customers are caregivers from the area. The shop carries glass cleaner, rolling papers, flavored rolling papers, grinders, scales, water pipes, bubblers, bongs and oil rigs. He also carries metal, glass, and wooden pipes in all shapes and sizes. Many of the products are brought in from Colorado or California, he said.

Butterfield takes pride in customer service. Upon entering his store, you are greeted with a friendly hello and a smile that instantly makes you feel comfortable to ask questions and for a little guidance if you aren’t sure exactly what products are best for your needs. It’s this pleasant demeanor that keeps customers coming back over and over again.

“If things aren’t right, I make it right,” he said. “I give the best service I can give them and give them the best product I can.” 

Mary Jane’s Smoke House does not sell tobacco because there’s too much competition, but Butterfield does have a tobacco license.

Standish has been very business friendly, said Butterfield. They let him do his business without issues from the town. 

Customers must be 18 and older to purchase items from Mary Jane’s Smoke House. Butterfield is very easy going, but he follows the law. 

The store is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

Find more on the website at www.maryjanessmokehouse.com or find them on Facebook. Butterfield answers Facebook messages and people can also call the store at 642-1012.